Review of Cruel Intentions (1999) by Nicki M — 22 Aug 2010

This is an old favourite of mine. Have had it on DVD for ages - saw the blu ray going for $13 and decided it was too good to pass up. I put the movie on just to check out the transfer, but as usual got sucked into watching the whole thing. Though it's obviously dated a little, it is still a really good film, still find it moving and enjoy watching it, and the ending with Katherine and Annette always makes me a little teary.

The whole cast is excellent here. I think it may be Sarah Michelle Gellar's best role outside of Buffy - she really is horrible as the manipulative and cruel Katherine - yet so beautiful and compelling, totally convincing that she could pull so many people into her web. Reese Wtiherspoon is just so cute here as is Selma Blair - both looking really young and vulnerable. Ryan Phillippe and Sean Patrick Thomas are also well cast.

Visually the movie is very striking. Though it is a teen film, it looks quite sophisticated and rises above what you would normally expect from this type of movie. Impressive.